Tuesday, February 2, 2010—Bar 23
Day 23—Monday, February 1st, 2010—Bull’s Head Tavern
Monday’s can be a pretty dead bar night, so I turned to the Murph Guide and found this on the things to do on Monday’s page:
It’s classic rock night, so hopefully they mean Beatles, Stones, Kinks, classic rock. And I’m dying to meet the rocker girl, Bettina. I’ve never met a woman named Bettina, so let’s get over there. Oh and Rip Torn’s in a bit of a sticky wicket these days, so in honor of his character, Artie, from the Larry Sanders show, I'm going to drink a Salty Dog, which was Artie's favorite drink. Okay and awaaaay we go!
Okay here we are, The Bull’s Head at 23rd and 3rd. Thirty blocks from 53rd and 3rd, the corner the Ramones made iconic in this song.
Monday is Funday, I’m ready!
Okay I ordered the Salty Dog, but got attitude from the bartender when I asked to take her picture.
“You can take a picture of the drink, but not of me,” I was curtly told in a somewhat demeaning manner. She acted pissed off I asked her to take her photo, and I explained I’m doing a website about going to bars and I’m documenting it with photos. It’s not like I asked her to take her shirt off and flash her tits at me, but I was nice and let it go. I asked if I could take photos in the bar and she said I could.
So I took this and saw the back of her head was visible. I showed it to her and she said that was okay. I said, “Okay, I’ll put the bartender was pretty, but shy.” Well this set her off.
“Look, I’m not shy, I just have no reason to want my picture on your website! I don't need to have you put my picture on your website.” She pointedly told me in really condescending tones as if I was a world beneath her.
But as I thought about it, yeah, she’s right. Why would a bartender want to be on a website that promotes and tries to bring in business to New York bars? Why would she want me to say nice things about her and build up her following? What kind of kooky talk was I jabbering about? All these other bartender’s who have been super-friendly to me must be out of their fucking minds to let me take their picture and say nice things about them. Well, all except one. I think Blondie from Bull’s Head should hook up with the bartender from this fucking dump. Together they could produce the true demon seed. After the Salty Dog I had two Budweiser’s and got the fuck out of this place. And if it’s any consolation to Rip Torn, I had a shitty night too. Here’s to tomorrow and a friendlier bartender.
Review
To be fair, the bar was nice, there’s two pool tables, a jukebox and a bowling game, drink specials, blah, blah, blah. But I don’t care how fucking nice a bar is, if the bartender is rude, it can ruin the whole mood of the joint. Even though I was treated like shit by the bartender for having the audacity to suggest I take her picture for a website that promotes bars and bartenders, I still left a three dollar tip. I had three drinks, was never thanked, treated like total shit and I’ll never go back there again. You can do what you want, but I wouldn’t put this place high up on a bar crawl list.
Update: 3/26/2010: I just got a super nice letter from another bartender who works here named, Kelly who saw this review. She apologized for the bad time I had and offered and invitation to come back on a Friday night when she is working and give the bar a second chance.
That was really cool and nice of Kelly to offer. I'm going to go back, but I have to wait till I have a Friday off work, so I can go to two bars in one day and revisit Bull's Head Tavern. As I said in the review, it looks like a nice place, the bartender just killed it for me, so go check it out. I'll let you all know when I head back there. Thanks so much for the kind offer, Kelly!
Bull’s Head Tavern
295 Third Ave. (@ 23rd St.)
212-685-2589
13 Comments
Reader Comments (13)
"But I don’t care how fucking nice a bar is, if the bartender is rude, it can ruin the whole mood of the joint." I totally agree Marty!
First of all, I know people like 'em, but that drink looks like it tastes awful. Secondarily, I don't know who the hell does this bar's signage, but Mondays are Manic, not fun. The funday is Sunday. It is also my I don't have to run day, which is good because after the holidays, I'm like 20 pounds heavier than I used to be, which was already 20 pounds heavier than I should be. So anytime someone tells me I don't have to run, I'm happy! Thanks, Bangles! And, for what it's worth, I think you were totally underrated as a band. Also, Marty, thanks for warning me about this bar. It looks nice and the bartender has pretty hair, but if I wanted my drink with a side of attitude, I'd go to Jersey.
That bartender is a BITCH. Yikes. What an asshole.
Oh, and I have a friend from High School named Bettina!
What a bitch! Oh well, here's to tonight, a better bar and to Rip Torn and Salty Dog's!
"Salty Dog" eh?
Procol Harum (even though Classic Rock) could not be reached for comment.
Although "Cuntquistador" might be applicable here.
Ha ha ha! To "Cuntquistador!"
Lame Bar!
Lame Bartender!
Lame Bettina!
Cross it off the list!
Whats the matter blondie? Having a bad day?...Take the three dollar tip and go buy a salty dog.
Marty, do you remember 'The Country Drunk Bar and Grill from my book 'Two Fisted Cab Driving Tales'...a phony name for a real bar that I used to have to service on a regular basis while working in my cab? I hope to God you never run across a bar like that before this website has run it's course! I fear for your safety if you do!
How much do I love your new site? A LOT! Cheers & hope you're well! xoxo Emily
Let the chainsaw speak the truth : Ziiioum Ziiiiiiiiiioum Ziiiiiii iiiiii iiiiiii iiiiii iiiiii ouuuuum oum oum !!!!
and here is the head of the BB (Blondie Bitch)
Ahhhhh I love to cut some jesus hole head Yeah !!!! ;D
Oh ! Marty, do you remember what I told you about the carton box head? ok, I'm making one and if you like it you can use it, and if not (I mean, i will be not upset for that!!) you can hang it up in your toilets and it makes a cool souvenir from the crazy french I am !!! ;)
Marty, I am so sorry that you had such a shitty night. Nights like that sure make you appreciate nice smiling people like at the bar you visited Tuesday evening.